| 1789 |
July 14th - Start of the French revolution |
| 1792 – 1797 |
War of the First Coalition – Austria and Prussia are defeated by France and surrender their territory on the western bank of the Rhine river |
| 1799 – 1802 |
The War of the Second Coalition is led by Austria, England, Russia against France. Prussia remains neutral. Napoleon sets himself at the top of the French states through a coup d'état on 9 November 1799 and assumes the position of First consul. |
| 1804 |
On December 2nd Napoleon Bonaparte crowns himself Emperor of France in Paris. |
| 1805 |
War of the Third Coalition – on December 2nd 1805 Napoleon defeats the joint Russo-Austrian armed forces in the “Battle of the Three Emperors” at Austerlitz. South Germany remains under French rule. |
| 1806 |
July: Confederation of the Rhine (Rheinbund) was established under Napoleon’s protection. The Holy Roman Empire of the German Nation ceased to exist. On October 9th Prussia declared war on Napoleon. War of the Fourth Coalition starts. The joint armies of Prussia and Saxony suffer a decisive defeat at Jena-Auerstedt. |
| 1807 |
The peace in Tilsit temporarily ends Napoleon’s war against Russia and Prussia. From all, Prussia has to pay a high price and is made to give up a great deal of territory. |
| 1808 |
At the “Day for Sovereignty” in Erfurt Napoleon promises to pay Jena 300,000 Francs as compensation. Napoleon visits the battlefield of Jena. |
| 1813 |
Battle of the Nations in Leipzig where Napoleon is defeated. The Confederation of the Rhine (Rheinbund) is dissolved. |
| 1814 – 1815 |
Congress in Vienna between England, Prussia, Austria and Russia where the reform of the countries is established. The western bank of the Rhine river is in German hands once more. Battle of Waterloo. Napoleon abdicates and is exiled to the South Atlantic Island St. Helena. |
